On the relative level, we must take the time and make the space to authentically bear witness to the bare experience of mind. The magic is in the looking—and the not-finding anything.
Buddhist chaplain Brett Campbell was honored as the Air National Guard’s recipient of the Distinguished Service Award – a first in the history of the Military Chaplains Association.
“By the end of my last three-day retreat, I felt as though I had been away for two weeks. In some ways, I get more out of short retreats than longer retreats. Something settles deeply and naturally.”
Mitra Lee Worley asks, “What do we do that might endanger the dharma? How can the protectors protect me? And what am I needing protection from?” The answers might surprise you.
Canadian sangha member Patti Fraser writes about being with a grieving friend, “To act skillfully is to drop the idea of skillful action as a set of preordained behaviours. I let go of thoughts of how to be useful, or help, or prevent suffering. In their stead, I tried to be just present.”
“This mind now is the dharma we have been looking for. Practicing the dharma means working with present appearances. Working with this mind now.”
